For the few hip-hop fans on this site

[mpfunk]

I have to recommend that everyone of you if you do not already own it, go out and buy Talib Kweli/Hi Tek's Reflection Eternal album. It was released about 5 years ago, in what was IMO one of the best eras for hip-hop. I had not listened to the album for a few months and busted it out last night. It was every bit the classic that I remembered. In that period where such greats as Blackalicious - Nia, Mos Def - Black on Both Sides, Common - Like Water for Chocolate, and Black Starr was released this one may stand out as the best of a great era.

Kweli has not been nearly the same since, although he has not been all that bad. His vocals on this are some of the best I have ever heard. When Kweli is on, and this is an album where he is on, he is possibly the best MC out there.

The song Move Somethin' is one of those songs when you listen to it you just feel it. The song For Women has some of the most poignant lyrics I have heard in any song. From start to finish it is just a fantastic album. I cannot emphasize enough to buy this album, or if you have it to listen to it again.

[fusnik11]

funk my friend....

don't quite understand the hip hop taste that you so proudly profess.....

give me fifty, snoop, dre, jay, eminem, any and every day over nas, mos and common.....

[mpfunk]

We simply will never agree on hip-hop then if you take those over the greats. Some of the older stuff by guys like Snoop and Dre is good to listen to, yes I do like the G-Funk even though it is not as good as a lot of the other hip-hop. Jay-Z is funny to listen to as is 50, but the music nor the rapping is very good.

Here is the top 5 hip-hop albums.

1. Digable Planets - Blowout Comb
2. A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Mauraders
3. Reflection Eternal (Kweli/Hi Tek) - Train of Thought
4. Count Bass D - Pre Life Crisis
5. De La Soul - De La Soul is Dead
Honorable mention and very close to unseating De La: Common - Be and Blackalicious - Nia

Top MCs: based off of delivery and lyrics
1. Talib Kweli: he took a huge step back with the Beautiful Struggle, but his best stands up there with anyone
2. Common
3. Count Bass D: one album that was pure classic lyrically
4. Gift of Gab
5. Mos Def

[mpfunk]

Also as for Nas, his rapping ability is great when he wants to be and does not want to go pop. Illmatic is a hip-hop classic. Most of his other stuff is just not good because he wanted the cash.

[cougjunkie]

I have to agree with MP on the Nas issue, Illmatic is a sick sick album, but everything else is really commercial. You can tell when an artist is not trying to sell records but is just trying to make music.

I like Common, Talib Kweli and my man Del the Funky homosapien. But i am with Fusnik to where i love Dre, 50, Eminem, and my all time favorite rapper Ice Cube.

I grew up in teh Gangsta Rap era so that is where my allegiance lies, but I do like some of the true "hip hop" artists that Funk is talking about.

Have you guys ever heard the Numbs? they are local out of Utah, they are actually pretty sweet. I have been to a few concerts and used to work with one of the members, cool cool guys.

[bluegoose]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

Have you guys ever heard the Numbs? they are local out of Utah, they are actually pretty sweet. I have been to a few concerts and used to work with one of the members, cool cool guys.

Gangster rap out of Utah???

Now I've heard it all.

Just where do they draw their inspiration for lyrics? I hear the Smiths down on 109th South is one place you don't want to be found after dark.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by bluegoose

I hear the Smiths down on 109th South is one place you don't want to be found after dark.

Where on 109th South are you talking about? There's one on about 101st South and 13th East and I believe ther is one somewhere near 90th South and Redwood Road.

I think you're making it up.

[il Padrino Ute]

I am ignorant when it comes to hip-hop.

Where does The Fresh Prince stand as far as good hip-hop goes?